Bhubaneswar, Sept 15: With emerging cases of Scrub Typhus and Leptospirosis diseases, the Government and Health & Family Welfare Department directed chief district medical and public health officers of all the districts including the Directors of Capital Hospital and Rourkela Government Hospital to intensify surveillance for early diagnosis, treatment, prevention and management of the disease.
The districts were directed to ensure the following in their respective areas.
Availability of test facilities in district public health units by procurement and supply of required test kits.
Sensitize Doctors to advise for this test in cases of pyrexia of unknown origin.
Increase public awareness and early diagnosis
Increase surveillance for Scrub typhus and Leptospirosis
Use of appropriate antibiotics and keep adequate stock of drugs
All deaths due to this disease should be investigated and necessary containment measures should be taken.
Data pertaining to such diseases should be shared with the State surveillance unit regularly in the prescribed format.
It may be pertinent here to mention that scrub typhus is caused by a bacteria named Orientia tsutsugamushi. The general symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of certain kinds of trombiculid mites and chiggers in their larval stage. Leptospirosis is also a bacterial disease. Its symptoms may include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc.
Medicines are available for these diseases. Proper surveillance, carefulness, timely testing, and treatment under the direct guidance of the doctors will help in containment, management, and cure. Detailed guidelines with CD and other materials were sent to the districts yesterday by the Director of Public Health, Odisha.
